United Airlines introduces a new way for Economy passengers to secure fresh meals before boarding, allowing customers to preorder burgers, sandwiches and other items through the airline’s website and mobile app.
The service applies to flights over 1,190 miles across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, and from March 1 preorders become the only way to buy fresh entrees in the Economy cabin.
Passengers can place orders from five days and up to 24 hours before departure, helping ensure availability while improving catering efficiency and reducing food waste. United expects the approach to keep more than 100,000 pounds of unused food out of landfills each year, while continuing to sell packaged snacks, signature snack boxes and beverages onboard.
How the preorder system works for travellers
Customers can browse and select meals in advance through the online Trips section on united.com or within the United mobile app. App users also receive a notification when the preorder window opens for their specific flight, removing the guesswork around whether popular items will still be available once onboard.
The January menu includes options such as the Steakhouse Burger, Tacos Al Pastor, Fresh Cheese & Fruit Tray and Everything Bagel Dots, alongside other fresh and flavorful choices. While fresh entrees move to preorder-only status in Economy from March 1, United continues to sell its familiar snack boxes, packaged snacks and drinks during the flight.
The airline positions the change as a customer-focused upgrade rather than a restriction. “We’re continuing to invest in meaningful improvements to our onboard food and beverage program, with a focus on quality, consistency and customer choice,” said Aaron McMillan, Managing Director of Hospitality Programs at United. “Preordering is a win for everyone – customers board the plane knowing they’ll get the meal they want*, our catering partners know exactly how much food to prepare for each flight and it helps our operation run even more smoothly and reduce food waste.”
United first introduced preordering for premium cabins in 2021 and reports that customer satisfaction scores for domestic flights increased by almost 40% after the rollout. The airline now extends the same concept to Economy, aiming to create a more predictable and personalized inflight dining experience even for short- and medium-haul routes.
What’s coming next for United’s onboard menu
Beyond the current selection, United plans to expand its preorder menu later this year. Additional fresh meal choices are expected this summer, including elevated salads, gourmet sandwiches and wraps, while expanded preorder-exclusive premium beverage options are planned for later in the year.
For frequent travellers, the move reflects a broader shift toward digital-first airline services, where passengers manage more of their journey — from seat selection to food choices — before arriving at the airport. Locking in meals early also reduces the disappointment of sold-out items, a common frustration on longer domestic and regional flights.
From an operational standpoint, preordering gives catering teams clearer demand forecasts and reduces overproduction of perishable items. The airline says this improves efficiency across its supply chain while supporting sustainability goals tied to landfill reduction.
Passengers who prefer spontaneous onboard purchases still have access to packaged snacks and drinks, but those who want a hot or freshly prepared option will need to plan ahead. United notes that preordered meals may not be available under certain circumstances, such as operational disruptions.
As airlines continue to look for ways to balance customer satisfaction with cost control and sustainability, United’s expanded meal preorder system positions inflight dining as a more predictable, personalized part of the travel experience rather than a last-minute gamble at cruising altitude.
